We say goodbye to another year... And now that we are leaving the generation of the "aughts", who could guess what the generation of the "teens" will hold. Remember 2YK and all the dire predictions that came with that.

Didn't seem to be much of a recession at the flea markets this Holiday Season. Although I will say that the majority of shoppers were definitely bargain shopping. Everybody wanted discounts this year and they wanted - no almost seemed to expect- to get them before Christmas. And a massive number of merchandisers from the department and box lot stores right down to the swap meet obliged. If you are a good salesman, and were selling fairly priced merchandise, I am sure that you had a great Holiday season. I would like to hear about your Christmas sales experiences this year. Let me know.

Something that will be "Hot" for the upcoming 2010 selling season is all kinds of hand held electronic games and music/video gear and their accessories. I know they have been big the past few (dozen) seasons, but they are just getting hotter. And I haven't forgotten telecommunications - I just saved them for last. Yuppies and their off-springs have gone communications crazy! How fast can YOU text the word "Hot"? Find a way to jump on this band wagon and you will be making amazing lemonade out of a sour economy going into the 2010 selling season!

Don't forget that imprinted sportswear will also be good this coming year. T-shirts will again be especially strong. Biker style and the tattoo type prints are heading the line-up of must have apparel. If you don't believe it - just go window shopping at your local mall or even K-Mart.

It is not too early to begin preparing yourself for spring selling... especially where you can get outdoors. You will need to stock your booth with lots of merchandise (don't skimp). The old adage is still true even more so in a bad economy "you can't sell from an empty wagon". The more fully stocked your tables and shelves the more you convince your customer that all is well and right in their world. Paint a bright, upbeat, hopeful and even prosperous world view in your little corner of it and your sales should reflect the confidence you have instilled. If you have good merchandise at a fair price and decent quality, don't worry about the recession. I think the hand-wringing, "Obammie" economy will run its course very soon and the public will be demanding goods again. You can't keep the world's best entrepreneurs, creative minds and workforce down for long!

For the upcoming season there are some really great shows at the Fairgrounds in Evansville, Indiana for info about these shows contact Brent or Suzie Pace at http://www.collectorscarnivalshows.com.

Hope the sun shines on all your shows in 2010,

Jim Goodridge